Five Stages of Lifeguarding

Alert

Description: Actively scanning, eyes bright, leaning forward in chair.

Time Elapsed: 0-30 minutes

Functionality: High

Need for a break: Not needed (but appreciated!)

Length of break needed: less than five minutes

Facial Expression: :D

Trance

Description: Leaning back or chin in hands, legs may be swinging, slightly glazed look, mind elsewhere.

Time Elapsed: 30 Minutes-1.5 hours

Functionality: Able

Need for a break: Minimal

Length of break needed: 5-10 minutes

Facial Expression: (:

Boredom

Description: Staring despondently, leaning all the way back, legs swinging rapidly, great sighs erupting periodically.

Time Elapsed: 1 hour+

Functionality: Moderate

Need for a break: Greatly desired

Length of break needed: 10-15 minutes

Facial expression: /:

Pre-Dementia

Description: Falling asleep in guard chair, eyelids heavy, no longer actively scanning, jaw-splitting yawns, short temper.

Time Elapsed: 3+ hours

Functionality: Low

Need for a break: Extreme

Length of break needed: 30 minutes

Facial expression: D:

Dementia

Description: Crying under sunglasses, wondering how on earth to survive the rest of the shift, slapping self to avoid falling asleep, unable to interact with members without snapping.

Time Elapsed: 4-6+ hours

Functionality: Inept.

Need for a break: URGENT! Failure to provide break may prove fatal.

Length of break needed: Rest of the day off.

Facial expression: D’:<